The best movies to watch this autumn

Heads up, superhero fans. Avengers 3: Infinity Wars and Ant-Man and the Wasp don’t mark the end of Marvel’s adventures this year. Sure, you may be familiar with the story of Spiderman, but what about his notorious nemesis Venom? Starring Tom Hardy as the titular anti-hero, Venom is an alien symbiote that’s been accidentally transported to Earth by Dr Carlton Drake. Tom Hardy’s body joins with the alien being and they face off against other powerful symbiotes. With his rows of nasty teeth and elongated alien tongue, Venom looks scarier than any ghosts in The Nun. Make no mistake, this guy is not your friendly neighbourhood hero Spiderman. In cinemas now.

Can there ever be enough pet movies? Based on Hiro Arikawa’s novel, The Travelling Cat Chronicles tells the tale of a loyal cat, Nana, and her human friend Satoru. While grieving for his first cat’s death, Satoru saves Nana from a car accident. Proving to be each other’s saviour, Nana and Satoru learn to understand each other’s feelings as their wounds heal. However, a twist eventually makes it impossible for Satoru to keep Nana any longer. A real tear-jerker, ensure you bring some tissues with you and be ready to run home to your pet afterwards. In cinemas October 26.

Starring the talented Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet, Beautiful Boy features the two, as father and son, seeking to overcome the latter’s drug addiction. Adapted from David and Nic Sheff’s book based on their life experiences, Chalamet – whose acting in Call Me by Your Name served to highlight him as one of Hollywood’s brightest young talents – presents this personal odyssey with a mix of realism and poetry. Don’t be surprised if his performance bags him an Oscar. In cinemas October 31.

Queen remain one of the most popular rock bands of all time and this film is certain to be a killer (queen) movie this autumn. Taking in the journey of the band’s flamboyant vocalist, Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody not only celebrates the huge success of the band but also delves into the darker parts of Mercury’s career and the hard life of being a homosexual in the 1970s and 80s. The film portrays Mercury as something more than a musical genius – an icon of his era who inspired many, whatever their sexual orientation. In cinemas November 1.

Starring the mighty Thor, Chris Hemsworth, Bad Times at the El Royale seeks to uncover the secrets of seven strangers who meet at Lake Tahoe’s El Royale resort. All of them have committed their own sinful crimes and are looking to bury them there. Of course, things are unlikely to prove that simple. Hemsworth’s abs might have stolen the spotlight in the leadup to release but the movie is about more than that – it’s based on the infamous resort related to the sex scandals of Marilyn Monroe and the assassinated US president John F Kennedy. Starring Hemsworth, Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson and Jon Hamm, expect things to explode at the El Royale. In cinemas November 21.

Examining the major moments in the life of renowned Renaissance painter Raphael Sanzio, this movie showcases more than 40 of his works on screen with 3D effects. It also takes in locations usually inaccessible to the public – such as certain Vatican loggias and apartments in the Apostolic Palace – making it a must-see for art lovers. The film is a fusion of high art and modern high-tech 3D virtual effects. After the wonderful Loving Vincent, an award-winning animation of Van Gogh’s life, go further back in time to the heady world of Renaissance art. In cinemas November 24.

One of this year’s Oscar favourites, If Beale Street Could Talk is a heartwarming follow-up to Barry Jenkin’s Oscar-winning Moonlight. This time, Jenkins explores the conflicts that occur when a woman tries to help prove the innocence of her fiancé who is accused of rape. Adapted from James Baldwin’s novel, the film layers its scenes with the lyricism and funky colours of the 1970s. Once again drawing in-depth pictures onscreen, Jenkins seeks to provide insight into the identity issues of modern African-Americans. Expected in cinemas late November.

A movie that explores homosexuality and issues of morality, Boy Erased is tipped as another Oscar hit. The film focuses on the story of a preacher’s son (Lucas Hedges) who is forced to take part in a church-supported gay conversion programme after unwillingly confessing his sexuality to his parents (Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe). The film questions Christianity’s moral superiority via the son’s experience in the programme. Director Joel Edgerton challenges beliefs of homosexuality being ‘incorrect’ with an earnest and gentle approach. Much more than a coming-out movie, Boy Erased digs deep into the faith that is often lost in an adolescent’s heart while growing up. Expected in cinemas in late November.